Russian propaganda
Russia's economy entered 2026 with very low indicators, including a record regional budget deficit of 1. 538 trillion rubles. Pressure on small businesses will increase, and regions will be left alone with debts.
American financier Gentry Beach, linked to the Trump family, has struck a deal with Russia's Novatek to develop a gas project in Alaska. This cooperation comes amid Russia's war against Ukraine and Western sanctions.
The Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv sentenced a Russian serviceman to life imprisonment for killing two Ukrainian defenders who had surrendered. The court also ordered him to pay UAH 50 million in moral damages.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban published a campaign video before the elections, featuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Orban made accusations.
The National Police thwarted a plan by Russian special services to destabilize Ukraine. An agent-combat group that was preparing a series of high-profile assassinations has been detained.
The program for the voluntary return of compatriots to Russia recorded an anti-record in 2025, relocating only 27. 6 thousand people. The number of resettlers has been constantly decreasing since the beginning of Russia's "SMO," which deepens the demographic crisis in the country.
Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces, refuted Russian claims of capturing Krynychne. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are conducting counter-offensive actions in the Oleksandrivka direction to prevent enemy advancement.
Former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi gave an interview where he spoke about the failure of the 2023 counteroffensive and SBU searches. Political observer Hennadii Dubov analyzed the interview, noting that it is not a bid for elections, but an element of political criticism of the current government.
The Prosecutor General's Office has launched the "StopPressure" portal to combat pressure on businesses, and 169 appeals have already been considered. However, some high-profile cases, such as the persecution of the "Konstanta" group, still remain without a logical conclusion.
At the same time, the channel plans to show the opening and closing ceremonies and inform viewers about the context of the admission of athletes from the Russian Federation and Belarus.
Ukrzaliznytsia updated information on train movements on February 19. The changes affected Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is actively building anti-corruption infrastructure and combating instances of corruption. He emphasized that Russia will use the issue of corruption for disinformation and to divide society.
Holding elections in Ukraine requires several months, not weeks, as the Russians believe. President Zelenskyy is ready to discuss this issue with parliament if there is a two-month ceasefire.
The Russian authorities have organized the program "Foundations of Russian Statehood" for over 1,500 employees of 47 large companies, including state corporations. The program's goal is to form "correct values" and intensify propaganda among the middle class.
Kremlin special representative Kirill Dmitriev stated that the US will lift sanctions against Russia, as they have cost American businesses over $300 billion. He claims that the portfolio of potential US-Russian projects amounts to over $14 trillion.
Talks between Ukraine and Russia in Geneva brought no breakthrough, with Zelenskyy accusing Russia of stalling for time. Expert Zhelikhovsky believes that Moscow is using the negotiations to gain time on the battlefield.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine state that the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes under national flags to the Paralympic Games is unacceptable. This decision undermines trust in international sports and justifies the crimes of the aggressors.
In Zaporizhzhia, a 56-year-old man died on February 17 as a result of a grenade explosion in an apartment building. Police are investigating the incident and establishing the origin of the ammunition.
MFA spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi commented on Budapest's provocations regarding the shutdown of the "Druzhba" oil pipeline.
In the Russian Federation, where internet censorship and surveillance of the opposition already prevail, the innovations are becoming another element of totalitarian control.
Russia has classified key economic data, concealing the real level of poverty and the state of the economy. 168 tables were removed from statistical compilations, and 115 indicators stopped being updated in the Unified Interdepartmental Information and Statistical System (EMISS).
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy states that the Russian delegation is deadlocking negotiations to buy time for the Kremlin.
The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine reports that the Kremlin uses passportization as a lever of influence in the occupied regions of Georgia. Support depends on the loyalty of local elites.
The Swiss Foreign Ministry announced its readiness to host a new round of talks on Ukraine. This followed the third round of negotiations in Geneva on February 17-18.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that Russia has not attacked any EU country, and Ukraine is only defending itself. He added that the security of Hungary and other EU states is guaranteed by NATO.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha responded to Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó's statement, emphasizing that Budapest's position ignores the real price Ukraine is paying for Europe's security. Sybiha stressed that Ukraine is deterring Russian aggression, preventing it from spreading to other European countries.
Adviser to the President of Ukraine Dmytro Lytvyn denied information about disagreements or internal influence within the Ukrainian negotiating team. The President's Office noted that the negotiating team is united, and talk of "divisions" or "influences" is untrue.
The talks in Geneva involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia lasted about two hours. The head of the Russian delegation called them "difficult but businesslike," and a new meeting will take place "in the near future."
The relevant ministry believes that the decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the Paralympic Games under national flags is outrageous and effectively contributes to the "normalization" of Russia's war against Ukraine.
Sweden has recognized Russia as the main military threat to itself and NATO. A military intelligence report points to airspace violations and cyber operations as examples of aggressive actions.